Godmother: Mary Hawkes was a phenomenal human being

Albuquerque police officers killed Mary Hawkes, 19, on Monday. Police said she pointed a gun at officers at closer range.

Friends said Hawkes was homeless and her parents died when she was a child. Those who knew her said she’s an example of a tragedy that can happen when youth don’t have certain resources available when they need them.

Hawkes had spent time in a Juvenile Detention Center, and friends said she wasn’t able to get the help she needed to get back on her feet and live on her own once she got out. They said she’d sleep in cars to try to survive.

“She meant a lot to everybody,” said friend Luchrisa Price. “Anybody that knew her knew she was a great person.”

Albuquerque Police Chief Gorden Eden said Hawkes was an auto theft suspect. Police said during a foot chase she pulled a gun on police.

At 15, Hawkes got in trouble for possession of glue or aerosol spray and assault, threat or menacing conduct, according to the Albuquerque Journal. A few years later she faced attempted criminal sexual contact of a child under 13 and was convicted of a lesser battery offense.

Hawkes turned 18 in 2012. As an adult she’d been charged with drinking in public and shoplifting.

The officer who shot Hawkes is on administrative leave. APD has not released the officer’s name.